The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-29
THE CASE OF JACOB SHARP
The Alleged Briber of New York Alder
men Reported in a Dying Condition.
and Physically. and Totally Unable to Take
the WitDess-Stand in His Own Behalf.

ana fHySlcalfy. anu lOtdlIy UHdDic 10 idhc
the WitDess-Stand in His Own Behalf
New YORK, June 2S-The Mail and Express,
in extra edition. says: 1T is believed that
Jake Sharp is dying. His physicians and law
yers say his condition is very critical His de-
Tense ended in a fiasco at 23O o'clock this after
Every one was surprised at the sudden
turn In affairs. At the beginning of the trial il
was Sharp's expressed determination to take the
stand in his own defense. He explained to his
counsel, however, that he would answer and ex-
plain all the seeming deficiencies in his examina-
ton before the Senate committee He went so
far as to avow that he would rather be convicted
than permit the statements of witnesses for the
prosecution to go uncontradicted by him.
Everything was arranged that Sharp should
testify. From the beginning of the trial until
the night that Judge Barrett ordered his COM
initial to Ludlow-street Jail. Sharp spent several
hours every day. after the adjournment of court,
in perfecting the statement which he would
make to the jury. From the time that
he was confined in Jail he has failed, and
yesterday afternoon, when his counsel, Messrs.
Stickney Parsons and Peter Mitchell told him
to prepare take the stand, they found to their
horror, that Sharp physical wreck. and
that even mentally he was not in a fit condition
to be witness. His memory was poor, and,
while fully realizing his situation. he
nowledged that he was too weak to stand the
n of cross-examination Prof LOOMS,
-, .rp's physician visited him in the courtroom
soon after. He found that Sharp was in crit
ical condition. and counsel came to the conclu-
sion that to put him the stand, to be subjected
to a rigid cross. discrimination of several hours
duration, would end his death. Lawyer
Mitchell said this evening that was the only
reason for not putting the defendant on the
stand. The reporter subsequently, learned that
it is the opinion of Sharps physicians that he
cannot live longer than ten DAYS or two weeks
The slightest excitement will cause death. owing
to the condition of his heart In the next few
days his business affairs will be wound up. with
view to the end.
terested in the Sharp case which, If carried out
successfully will take the case out Of the iurs-
diction of the jury to morrow before the lawyers
have chance to display their power of oratory
in summing up 1t has been suggested that Ger
tificates from such eminent physicians as Prof.
Loomis and his associates that Sharp would
in all probability drop dead in the courtroom
when she jury brought in their verdict. If the
case should be given them, no matter whether
the verdict be guilty not guilty, would result
in Judge Barrett stopping the trial just where 1t
is. In any event, his advocates are sincerely or
the opinion, after listening 70 the advice of the
doctors. that Sharp will never live to go TO sing
Sing"
Yesterdays Proceedings in Court.
such as Jake Sharp has undergone in the very
heat of summer and at his time of life is
deal that cannot be safely passed Yet has this
old man, with all his manifold physical All
ments, borne up bravely under it. He was no
spryer than usual when he came into court this
morning, nor did he appear to be any weaker
than usual He said to reporter that the eft.
feet of DR.. Loomis's prescriptions OF yesterday
was to make him sleep better than he had at any
time since his commitment TO the jail
Mr. Dayton Of the Senate clerical force, was
recalled to testify with reference to the general
surface railroad bill of 1883.
John M. Scribner the next witness. Al
soon as he took the chair Judge Barrett warned
Mr. Parsons against repetitions His Honof
said his object was to save valuable time, and
that he had no intention to hamper the defense
in any way.
Mr. Parsons read the report of the Supreme
Court commission that recommended the Broad
way railroad. which held that the annual rental
of $40. 900 and the percentage was very liberal
arrangement. and heavy burden for a city roao
only two and a half miles long. Mr. Scribnei
was then asked il he had heard the name Oh
Billy" Moloney mentioned Ia this case as WIS.,
iror at his Office"
II have the witness replied He said he
first met Moloney with Brother Chittenden.
"Your office is said to have been the head.
quarters of what the prosecution called con.
spracy. Is that true"
II know of no conspiracy. nor of any attemp.
to bride the aldermen and Others" Inc Wltnesf
finished and was not cross examined.
Francis j. Twomey, clerk of the Board of Al
derman, was next called. he testiheo TO ms
inability to find any applications for the Broad,
way franchise other than that OF the Cable d
Broadway railroad He was not cross examined.
Mr. Abraham W. Earl followed He said he
was secretary Of the New York Cable railroad
Company.
Are you aware that an offer Of $50. 600 wat
made the aldermen at the meetings I'D Nc
Laughlns house by your company-one-hal
cash and one-half boEds-for the right to run
cars BroadwayF
81 have heard some rumors to that effect, but
no such offer was made any suggestion OF
such offer"
Mr.. Nicoll cross examined tho witness and
brought out the fact that President Andrews, OF
the company, did make Mayor Edison an Offer OF
a million dollars for the Broadway franchise, TO
be paid into the city treasury.
Having read Mr. Sharps testimony as whole
before the Senate investigating committee, w.
w. Niles took the stand. He concluded the ex-
animation of Fuleraff before that committee.
do you remember a statement made by Full
graft after his examinations"
The Witness reply, described the dramatic
scene when Fugraff called on God to strike him
dead if he had ever accepted dollar for hia
vote.
Quite unexpectedly, at this point, Dir. Par
said the defense had only three more wit
nesses to examine. I'VE DESIRE" he added, ITO
cali George Bliss, and John Mcmahon and Julius
Heidmau, two members of the Schnorer Club.
After we have examined these witnesses, tbs
defense will have concluded its case"
MIR. Bliss then took the stand. He related
how he had been sat upon by the investigating
committee when he attempted to demand fair
play for Sharp. II demanded of the commit
tee," said Mr.. Bliss, ION behalf of Mr. Sharp
his right to explain certain of his answers,
which, by reason of being Incomplete, are mis-.
leading The committee consulted, and ther
Mr.. Seward told me that the committee had de-
cided to permit no explanation then. but that al
the close Of his examination he would be given
an opportunity. Finally the committee ad
iourne6 to Albany, and never gave Mr.. Sharp
the opportunity for explanation that had beer
promised"
The court here took recess.
At the conclusion of the testimony of Mr.